Roomba can handle your tree

Roomba j7+. © iRobot.

Just in time for the holidays! The Roomba j7 (and the j7+, with a larger dust receptacle) is equipped with a front camera, lighting and software that uses artificial intelligence to dodge certain objects such as Spot’s little gifts that, regrettably, other robot vacuum cleaners can’t avoid. iRobot is now launching an update to the vacuum cleaner’s software that can handle shoes and socks left lying around, as well as ... Christmas trees. The j7 and j7+ can identify a zone around the tree where you can ask it to suck up pine needles, while avoiding the center so it doesn’t knock your tree down. Fair warning: while Roomba will treat your tree with care, you'll be hard pressed to escape at least one tree fall this holiday season if a toddler or a cat lives in the house. iRobot has not mentioned whether the new software also navigates around Festivus poles. We hope so.

In addition to new detection and avoidance features, iRobot says its robots with smart mapping features can now transfer maps amongst themselves. This should be useful to anyone who wants to upgrade their Roomba or add a second model like the Braava Jet M6, which specializes in wet cleaning.

⇨ The Verge, Jon Porter, “iRobot Roomba update uses AI to avoid knocking over your Christmas tree.”

2021-11-30